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Rescue Dogs Take Over For Ball Boys At Tennis Tournament

When the job is chasing down tennis balls, really who better to hire than a dog?

For the second year in a row, organizers of the Brazil Tennis Open welcomed in a group of eager canines to serve as "ball boys" during last week's tournament. But rather than merely serve as mid-match entertainment for animal-loving spectators, their participation throughout the games was about so much more.

All the pups involved have been rescued from abandonment — and now they're looking for new homes.

"No matter their origin or age, when they are loved and fed properly [rescued dogs] can be wonderful companions. [They can] play, learn new things and accomplish great deeds, " organizer Madalena Spinazzola said in a release. "They are dogs that have had difficulties in life, yes. But what we want to show is not the stories suffered in the past, rather to prove that, regardless of what they've experienced, they can be great companions today and in the future!"

Best of all, the exposure has helped change the lives of these pups for the better. Last time around, every dog who participated was ultimately adopted into a forever home — and with any luck, this year will be no different.

Source: thedodo.com
This article was originally published on February 21, 2017. Tense changed for clarity.
Photo credit: Brazil Open/Leandro Martins/DGW Comunicação